POLL: Worst WWI General

Ludendorf's idea that localised tactical success in spring of 1918 would then determine the strategy was utterly insane. The German stormtroopers broke through, basically following the path of least resistance, but with no clear strategic objective. Haig never did anything that approached that level of stupidity.

Pershing's arrogance in believing that he could ignore the lessons learnt by the French and British in trench warfare, on the basis that he wouldn't have to fight a trench war as his men would shoot the Germans out of the trenches and fight them in the open was equally bonkers (if not criminally negligent). It then meant that US forces went into action with no coherent tactical doctrine, and consequently were suffering the same levels of casualties as the British had suffered on the first day of the Somme.

The Great War was a painful learning curve for all sides. The real difference between WWI and WWII was the development of pratical protable radio sets. This allowed the advancing troops to keep in contact with the supporting artillery. Without that co-ordinating WWII would have been just as painful and bloody. It seems very unfair to criticise a whole swathe of Generals when in truth the technology to allow them to really control a battle was not available to them. They made the plans, then had to sit back an see what happened. Their ability to interfere, to adjust the plan in any way, was almost entirely absent.

That said, they still managed to oversee incredible developments in the way that all arms fought. Modern infantry tactics were developed during the Great War. It was actually a period of far greater original thought and development than any war since. We are far too quick to criticise the men who were responsible for this, and too slow to recognise that the politicians who were pulling the strings were actually the men with blood on their hands.